Tank car



Nov. l0, 1942. 4.1. QRIST- 2,301,378

TANK CAR' Film-gan. 30,1940 5 sheets-sheet 1 T i iff( 'f f 4f Nov. 1o, 1942. J. A. @msn 2,301,378

TANK CAR Filed Jan. 50, 1940 3' Sheets-Sheet 2 frigid Nov. 10, 1942. J. A. cRlsTA 2,301,378

` TANK'CAR l Filed Jan. 5o, 1940- l A3 sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nev.. io, 1942 UNITED" STATE s" PATENT ortica TANK can Joe a Crista', Needles, celu'. e Application Jennery so, 1940, serial No. 316,403

5 Claims. This invention relates toa tank car, and it is a particular object of the invention to provide means whereby the tank may be drained, said drain including a" valve mechanism which automatically closes uponmovement of the vcar during the time of draining o r, unloading. It is also `an objectof the invention to provide a tank car which substantially eliminates piliering of the tank content and wherein the desired draining or unloading of the tank may be accommember;`

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of the valve member as illustrated in Figure 7 with a lportion ybroken away:

Figure 9 is a view partly elevationand partly in section of a memberor tool for manually opl. erating certain of the parts;

plished with the liability of-re hazard and ex-l The invention `consists' in the details of con- Astruction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts ofmyimproved tank car whereby-certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less'.

expensive and otherwise more convenient and I advantageous for'use, as'will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features ofmy lnvention will heref inafter be definitely claimed. Y

In order that my invention may be understood, I will now proceed to describe the the better Figure 1 0 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the Atdol or member in working positionu'f I Figure 1 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation v er the drain valve member with the operating rodthereon in position for operative engagement with or removal-.from the drain valve member;

Figure 12 is a viewpartly in section` and l partly in elevation illustrating a drain valve mechanism constructed in accordance with another .embodiment of the'invention.

.As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, T

denotes a tank of a character comprised in a tank car structure and which includes a conventional dome D. The top wall I of the dome to one side of its axial center is provided with the usual lillingopening 2 normally closed by'a cap or cover 3 held in place by the bolts 4. The dome D is also provided in its top wall I with Ava second opening 5, the outer'portion of same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figurel is a fragmentary view partly in secc y tion and partly in elevation andof va somewhat diagrammatic character'l illustrating a tank car constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; AFigure 2 v`is a fragmentary detailedsectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2.of Figure ,1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentaryvertical sectional view taken through the upper portion of the dome of the tank to one side of tlie tank cap, certain of the parts being in elevation;-

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view partly in top .plan and partly in section illustratingthe mountthe sidewah of whiehis formed teprevide e surrounding. rabbet 6 to provide a seat-for` the outstanding iiange' I carried by the` marginal portion of the cap 'or cover 8 threading 'within the .opening 5. Coacting with this flange 1 and its coasting seat as afforded by the rabbet' 6, isy a gasket 9 of desired material to assure atight seal when the cover orcap 8 is applied.

The outer face of the cover or cap 8 is pro- I vided with the suitably positioned spaced recesses I0 in which a. suitable implement is adapted to be engaged to facilitate the applicationorremoval of the cover orcap 8.

Underlyingthe Aopening 5. is a housing H of desired dimensions and which hasl a side wall II substantially dening the opening .5 with the `upper portionof said side wall II Welded ergotherwise rigidly secured, as at I2, to the under suring for the operating rod coacting with the valve member of the drain valve mechanism;

Figure 5'is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line -5- -5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is; a fragmentary detailed sectional v view taken substantiels en the une s-s of Figure 4 face of the top wall I of the dome D. l

Hingedly connected, as at I4, tothe'outer faceI of the top walll to oneside of the iilling opening 2 is an end portion of an elongated'rigid strap I5. This strap I5, v which is. preferably of metal,'is of a length to extend radially across the applied lid or cap 3 and radially across the applied cover or cap 8. The outer or free yend portion of this strap I5 terminates in an angularly vrelated portion I6 which engages in a. conventional manner with an outstanding staple I1 carried by a side wally I8 of the dome D. A shackle lock I9 or the like is engaged through the staple I1 outwardly of the angular extension I6 whereby the strap I5 is effectively locked'in a position to prevent unauthorized removal of either the lid or cap 3 or the cover or cap 8. As is clearly illustrated in Figure 1, the strap l when in holding position is disposed over and in direct contact with the bolts 4, and the central portion of the strap I5 is offset, as at 20, to assure proper effective coaction of the outer Dortion of the strap I5 with the applied cover or cap 8.

The bottom of the tank T below the opening 5 in the top wall I of the dome D is provided with a drain opening 2|. This opening 2| discharges into a. drain pipe 22 depending from the tank T and leading from this pipe 22 is a carry-oil line 23 of desired length and of preferred material. The lower or outer end portion of the pipe 22 is provided with the peripheral threads 24 to permit the application of a suitable cap thereto after the line 23 has been removed and which is particularly desirable whenthe tank is in transit. The pipe 22 substantially midway its ends'is provided with an inwardly disposed annular ilange 25 which provides a mounting for a valve seat 26. Coacting with the seat 26 is a valve 30 member 21 which, in its opening movement, travels toward the tank T. This valve member 21 at its axial center has depending therefrom an elongated post or rod 28, the lower end of which is suitably coupled, as at l29, with a piston 30. This pistonA 30 snugly fits and works within a cylinder 3| supported within the lower portion oi the pipe 22 by a conventional spider structure 32. y

. The cylinder 3| at a point at all times below or in advance of the piston 3.0 hasv in communication therewith a line or conduit 33 which extends out through the side wall of the pipe 22.

. The outer end portion of this pipe or conduit 33 has suitably coupled therewith, as at 34, an end portion o! a ilexible pipe line 35 of desired length.

The outer end portion of this line v35 carries a coupling 38 whereby the line 35 may be connected to a suitable source of iluid pressure when it is desired to move the piston 30 in a direction to lift the valve member 21 from its seat 26 to permit the content of the tank T to drain or be discharged out through the line 23. The coupling 36 includes a normally closed valve generally indicated at 31, whereby the desired pressure is retained within the cylinder 3| to maintain the Ivalve 21 in lifted or open position. When it is desired to reseat the valve 21 the valve 31 is manually opened whereupon the valve 21 will return to its seat under the action of the expansible coil spring 38 within the cylinder 3| and interposed between the piston 30 and the upper head 39 of the cylinder through which the post or rod 28 passes. This spring .38 surrounds the post or rod 28. The line 35 is of such length that it can be placed across the rail R of a trackway immediatelyv adjacent to a wheel 40 of the tank car so that in case the car should inadvertently move the line 35 will become mutilated and thus relieve the iluid pressure within the cylinder 3| to permit substantial instantaneous closing of the valve member 21 under the action of the spring 38.

The valve member 21 at its axial center is 75 provided with an upstanding cylindrical boxing 4| of desired dimensions and having a top head 42 provided in its axial center with a relatively large opening 43 to permit the passage therethrough of an expansible coil spring 44.

The head 42 is provided with an entrance slot 45 radial to the opening 43 and which communicates with the upper central portion of a T-slot 46 as is particularly illustrated in Figures 8 and 1l of the drawings.

Associated with the valve member 21 and more particularly with the boxing 4| thereof is an operating rod 41. This rod 41 adjacent to its lower end is provided with a circular enlargement or head 48 of a diameter in excess of the diameter of the opening 43 but which can readily pass within the boxing 4| through the upper part of the T-slot 46. The lower or stem portion of this slot 46 allows for the ready passage of the portion of the rod 41 below the enlargement or head 48.

In connecting the rod 41 with the valve membei' 21 the spring 44 is first applied and an elongated shank 49 is inserted through the slot 46 above the initially applied spring 44 and through the medium of this shank or suitable tool 49, the spring 44 will be sufficiently compressed as illustrated in Figure 1l to allow they desired application of the rod 41 to the housing 4| as illustrated in Figure 11. After the application of the rod 41 the shank or tool 49 .is removed whereupon the spring will expand for contact from below with the enlargement or head 48.

Asillustrated in Figures 1 and 7, the valve member'Z'T-at the axial center of the boxing 4| and directly below the applied rod 41 is provided with an upstanding lug 50 to provide an effective mounting for the lower end portion o! the spring 44. l

The pipe 22 closely adjacent to its top is provided with the diametrically opposed and inwardly directed bosses 5|. These bosses 5| in their opposed faces are provided with the sockets 52 which also open through side faces of the bosses. It is to be particularly noted that the socket 52 of one of the bosses opens through the side thereof remote from the side through which opens the socket 52 of the second boss 5|.

These sockets 52 receive the outstanding trunnions 53 carried by the opposite ends of an elongated bearing block 54. These trunnions 53 are each angular in cross section so that the block 54 will be supported in position across the upper part of the pipe 22 without rotation, and it is believed to be obvious that the trunnions 53 will be readily engaged within the sockets 52 `upon proper swinging of the block 54. After the trunnions 53 have been engaged within the sockets 52 said trunnions are held therein by the releasable pins 55 which extend through the bosses 5| at the open side portions of the sockets 52 as particularlyillustrated in Figures 4 and 5 ofthe drawings.

The central portion of the bearing block 54 has disposed therethrough a slot 56 extending lengthwise of the block 54 and the block 54 et its central portionis also provided with an opening 51 intersecting the slot 56. Disposed through the slot 56 is an elongated nut 58. This nut 58 has limited movement lengthwise of the slot 56 and also limited movement transversely of the slot.`

This last named movement is limited by the pins 59 carried by the portions of the nut 58 extending beyond opposite sides of the bearing block 54.

Threading through the nut 58 is the upper portion ol kthe rod 41 and it is to be stated that the extent of sliding movement of the nut 88 in any direction is insufficienttoA allowv the threadedV portion 80 oi the rod 41 to contact with the block 54. Upon turning of the rod 41 in one direction ythe lower end thereof will have contact with the valve member 21- and thereby' positively lock or hold the valve member 21 to its seat 26. When in this position, as illustrated in Figure 1, the enlargement or head 48 is spaced a material distance below the top head 42 oi the boxing 4|.

moved upwardly a distance sui'ilcient to cause the enlargement lor head 48 to contact from below with the top head 42 ot the boxing 4|.

They enlargement 18, as herein disclosed, comprises a plurality of nuts threadedupon the'bar 82, said nuts permitting the positioning ofthe enlargement 18 on the bar 62 to be varied within certain limitations as the requirements of pracwith the upper end portion of the rod 41 is the the same toward the rod 62 and to -maintain lower end portion of a second rod 62. vThis rod 62 is of a length to' extend upwardly through ajacent to the under surface of the applied cover or lid 8 when the rod r41 is in its adjusted position to hold the valve member 21 as illustrated in Figure l of the drawings. Associated with the portion of the rod 62 passing through the opening 63 is a conventional gland packing 64.

It is believed to be obvious that before the valve member 21 can bereleased for opening member, it is rst necessary to remove the cover or cap 8 so that the rods 41 and 62 may have de sired upward movement. g f

The rod 62 has its upper end beveled and with its beveled face a provided therealong with a groove or channel 65.r 'Ihis upper or beveled end portion of the rod 62 is to be received within the socket 66 of a wrench 61 of a type as illustrated in Figure 9 or otherwise as may be preferred. The inner end of the socket 66 is on a bevel b complementa-l to the beveled end a of the rod 62 `and extending from this beveled inner end b of the socket 66 is a rib 68 which engages within the groove or channel 65 along the beveled end a of the rod 62, thus assuring eil'ective engagement with thewrench 61 for turning the rod 62 together withthe rod 41 in the direction desired.

The bottom wall 69 of the housing H throughv which the opening 63is disposed, is provided with an upstanding sleeve 16 concentric to theopening 63- and of a length to becontacted by the applied cover or cap 8. This sleeve 18 serves as a guard to prevent application of an ordinary wrench to the upper end portion of the rod 62 but makes it necessary that a special wrench be employed.

The wrench 61 at the outer end thereof is provided with the laterally directed opening -bars or handles 1| and the outer end portion of one of these-barsor handles 1lis formed, as at 12, to provide a Supplemental socket wrench to be engaged with the nut of the gland packing 64 tice may prefer. v

Thestop member 14 is substantially semi-circular in'cross section and of desired length. This stop member 14 is carried by the free end portion ofan arm 15 having its opposite end'portion pivotally connected, as at 16, to the under surface of the bottom 89 of the housing H. The stop member 14 is normally maintained in a position straddling the rod 62 by a conventional typeof leaf spring 11 suitably anchored, as at 18, to the under surface of the bottom 68 of the housing H. The free end portion of this spring 11 bears against the stop kmember 14 and constantly urges the same in contact therewith.

Pivotally mounted, as at 18, on the under surface 69 of thek housing H and adjacent to thc arm 15-is a cam member 80 carrying an operating handle 8|.

When it is-k desired to manually unseat or open the valve member 21, the lid or capA 3 is removed to allow the hand of a person to grasp the handle .member 8| to swing the same in a direction to j cause the cam member to contact with the arm 15 to swing the contact member 14 against the tension of the spring 11 and for a distance to free the stop member 14 from the rod 62 andout of the path of travel of the enlargement 13. Inl swinging the handle member 8| beyond its center,.the cam member 80 will operate to maintain the stop member 14 in its inoperative or outward swinging adjustment until the handle member is swung back to return the cam member 80 to a position permitting the spring 11 to swing the stop'member 14 in straddling or embracing position upon the rod 62. f

The bottom 69 of the housing H is provided f with a port v82 into which threads a sleeve 83 within the housing H. The upper end of this f e sleeve 83 has mounted thereon a removable head 85 with which engages from below an inwardly y This valve member 86as herein disclosed, is normally maintained in A contact with its seat 85 through the medium of the expansible coil spring 81 interposed between the valve member 86 and an inwardly directed annular flange 88 carried by the lower portion of the sleeve 83.

whereby said nut maybe tightened when desired or removed.

To prevent unintentionalmanual uri-seating of `housing H. The enlargement 13 contacts with With the cover or cap 8 removed, any vacuum created within the tank T above the liquid level Within the tank will cause the valve member 86 to open and thus permit outside air to enter the tank T to break the vacuum. v

In addition to this automatically operating valve member 86 it is of advantage to provide a manually operated means to place the interior of the tank in communication with the outside atmosphere to breakup any vacuum within the tank T, As herein'disclosedy the bottom 69 of the housing H isl provided with a second port 88 which is normally closed by the upwardly opening valve member 89. This valve member 89 at its axial center carries a boxing 90 ofa type similar to the boxing 4| hereinbefore referred to. Extend-ing inwardly from above within the bol;-

the stop member 14 before the rod 62 has been 75 ing 80 through the central opening 9| in the top piston 30.

head 92 thereof is a rod-'03. This rod 9331s threaded through the upper or cross member 94 of a frame of an inverted U type. This frame straddles the boxing 90 and the lower or free extremities of the side arms 95 of the frame are suitably anchored, as at 96, to the bottom 69 of the housing H with vthe cross member 94 dis'- the top head 92 of the'boxing 90. This enlargement 91 is carried by the portion of the rod 93 within the boxing 90 and interposed between this enlargement 91 and the valve member 89 is anV expansible coil springf98 .which encircles the rod 93. This spring 98 serves to prevent chattering of the valve member 89 and also provides means for returning the same to its seatv 88 when the rod 93 is moved downwardly for lockingor holding engagement .with the valvemember 89. The rod 93 above the bar 94 is provided with a cross handle 99 or other suitable means whereby the rod 93 may be rotated in a direction to either raise or lower the rod. y ai The pipe 22 in its lower portion has disposed circumferentially therearound, a groove whereby the pipe 22 is materially weakened at such point so that the pipe, or housing as it may also be called, may readily break.

By having the nut 56 capable of movement lengthwise and transversely of the bearing block 54 together with the connection 6|, the rods 41 Vand 62 are capable of relative movementto compensate for any tendency of misalignment` of these rods. 41 and 62'. It is also to be particularly pointed out that the bosses are of s uch l length, when engaged within the sockets y52 oi' pumped empty through the opening or manhole 2 `in lthe top wall of the dome D.

The pipe 22 and the parts associated therewith embodies what may be termed a permanent structure. In Figure 12 of the drawings is embodied what may be designated as a temporary structure. In this embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 12,' C denotes a tank which has depending therefrom andin communication therewith a drain pipe |0| having within Y its upper portion a bearing blockr |02 constructed and mounted in substantially the same manner as the bearing block 54 hereinbefore referred to. Threading through this block |02,v or more particularly the' sliding nut |03 carried thereby, is the operating rod |04 for the valve member |05 which coacts with the internal valve seat |06 provided within the pipe |0|. The rody |04 coacts with a boxing |01 in the same` manner as has hereinbefore been set forth in detail with respect to the boxing 4| andthe rod 41. The upsuch coupling including amember having a spider ||2 intersecting the bore of the member ||0 and providing a guide for an elongated sleeve H3.

its seat and whichv seating of the valve member f 21 is further facilitated by the movement` of the nut 58.

It is also to be the load will not be on the pins but on the closed sides ofthe bosses 5| when the valve rod 21 isturned in the direction to close the valve member 21.

While in this embodiment of my invention I include the spring 38, it is to be stated that this spring 38 can be omitted and the spring 44 relied upon `not only to maintain the valve member 21 pointed out that the relative diagonal arrangement of the pins is such that closed but togassure the return movement of the Itis required underV the present regulations that the lower or discharge end of the pipe 22 be open during the illiing oi'th'e tankvT- so that it can be readily determined whether or not the valve member 211s tight upon its seat 2li to prevent flow thereby. The lower portion of the pipe v22 is provided with a drain opening h normally closed by a plug z' threading therein. This opening l; provides means, when the plug i is withdrawn, to indicate whether or not the valve member.` 21 is leaking to an extent to be dangerous to remove the cap or plug at the lower end of the pipe 22. If there should be such a leakage past the valve member 21, the tank T must bev The upper end of this sleeve I3 is closed by a cap 4 which has direct contact from below with the valve member |05. The opposite or lower end oi.' this sleeve I9 has threading therein, as at ||5, the upper end portion of a plunger IIB. The lower portion of the plunger I6 works within a cylinder ||1 within a casing ||6 having its upper portionl in threaded engagement, as at I9, with the lower extremity of the tubular member,||0. They cylinder ||1, asherein disclosed, :ls positioned vwithin thefcasing ||8 at substantially the center thereof by the spider |20 and the lower portion of the casing ||8 is provided with a threaded opening |2| to permit the connection with said casing of a suitable deliver," or carry- Dit line.

'I'he cylinder ||1 at a point at all times'below or in advance of the plunger ||6 has in communication therewith a flexible line |22 such as the line 35 hereinbefore referred to and for the same purpose.

The threaded connection ||5 between the vsleeve ||3 andl the plunger ||6 allows for rela- |25 of the cylinder ||1 through which the plunger ll6passes.

The valve member |05 is normally urged to its seat |06 bythe spring |26 in the same manner as has hereinbefore been vset forth with respect to the spring 44 comprised in the irst embodiment of my invention.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a tank car constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly Well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and.

operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modiiication Without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood'as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the sev- 'eral parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: 1. In combination with a tank structure hav- Ving a drain pipe leading therefrom, saidv drain ing an outlet opening, a valve member normally closing said opening and moving inwardly of the tank to open the outlet opening, a rod extending into the tank and having endwise movement, said rod when in one position holding the valve member to its seat, said rod when moved into a second position away from the valve seat perl pipe having an internal valve seat, a valve member coacting with said valve seat and closing flow through the drain pipe, a bearing block supported Within the drain pipe above the valve member, a nut carried by the bearing block and having movement lengthwise and transversely of the bearing block, a rod threading through said nut, said rod when turned in one direction contacting with the valve member to hold the same to its seat, said bearing block having endwise movement, said rod and valve member having coactingmeans for lifting the valve member from its seat upon rotation of the rod in the opposite direction.

4; In combination with a tank' structure havpipe having an internal valve seat, a. valve member coacting with said valve seat and closing ow through the drain pipe, a `bearing block supported 'within the drain pipe above the valve member, a nut carried by the bearing block and having movement lengthwise and transversely of the bearing block, a. rod threading through said nut,

' said rod when turned in one direction contactmaintaining the arm in such position, and means v for swinging the arm away from the rod to makethe stop on the arm ineiiective with respect to the enlargement on the rod.

2. In combination with a tank structure having a drain pipe leading therefrom, said drainpipe having an internal valve seat, a valve' memberv coacting with said valve seat and closing iiow vthrough the drain pipe, a bearing block supporting with the valve member to hold the same to its seat, said bearing block having endwise movement, andl means for moving the valve member into open position upon threading of the rod thru the nut in a direction to move the rod away from the valve member.

5. In combination with a tank structure havinga drain pipe leading therefrom, said drainf pipe having an internal valve seat, a valve member coacting with said valve seat for controliing ilow through the drain pipe, inwardly disposed bosses carried by the pipe, said bosses in their opposed faces being provided with sockets opening through side faces of the bosses, said sockets being reversely related, a bearing block intersecting the pipe and having its extremities received within the sockets of the bosses, means for holding said extremities of the block within the sockets, anda rod threading through the block, said rod when moved in one'direction contacting with the valve member to hold the same to its seat,

A movement of the rod in the opposite direction permitting the valve J OE A. CRISTA. 

